“Our services are not the same”: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care interactions in women’s shelters – BMC Women’s Health

Challenges and Strategies in Women’s Shelters during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the work of women’s shelters, disrupting care in multiple ways. This report explores the challenges faced by these agencies and the strategies employed to maintain quality care during the pandemic. The findings are organized into three interconnected themes:

Challenges to Core Values

Central to the work in women’s shelters are values that guide service provision, such as feminist and anti-oppressive principles, trauma-informed approaches, and harm reduction. However, pandemic guidelines often contradicted or challenged these core values. Changes to service models, such as virtual services and closures of certain services, impacted women and children using the shelters. Some women felt that their voices were disregarded in favor of pandemic protocols, and others experienced intense questioning about their abuse experiences when trying to access shelter space. Mandate changes also limited the number of women and children who could receive support, leaving some with few options. Staff struggled with having to turn women away and felt that adequate GBV services were unavailable during the pandemic.

Challenges to the Provision of Care

The provision of care in women’s shelters, including trauma work, was significantly impacted by pandemic protocols. Masking and physical distancing requirements made it difficult for staff to connect with clients and assess their needs. Isolation requirements re-traumatized women who had experienced isolation in abusive relationships. The loss of communal spaces limited informal support and community engagement within the shelters. Alternative spaces, such as hotel rooms, posed challenges in providing support and building rapport with women. Coordination and collaboration among services were also hindered by closures, remote work, and restrictions on service hours.

Strategies for Maintaining Quality Care

Despite the challenges, shelter staff employed creative workarounds to maintain connections and provide support. Technology, such as phone calls and video conferencing, was used to bridge the gap between pandemic protocols and service provision. Staff also provided self-care and comfort items to compensate for the unavailability of communal spaces. Donations from the community played a crucial role in supporting these efforts. However, limitations in technology access and skills, safety risks, and the loss of face-to-face interactions posed challenges in providing quality care.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to women’s shelters and their ability to provide care. The strategies employed by staff have helped mitigate some of these challenges, but further support and resources are needed to ensure the well-being of both staff and clients. By addressing these challenges and implementing sustainable solutions, women’s shelters can continue their important work in supporting survivors of gender-based violence and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of care in women’s shelters, which is relevant to the goal of promoting good health and well-being.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The article highlights challenges to feminist and anti-oppressive practices in women’s shelters during the pandemic, addressing the goal of achieving gender equality.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the impact of pandemic protocols on access to shelter services for women at risk of violence, highlighting the issue of reduced inequalities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article addresses the provision of quality care for survivors of gender-based violence and the importance of access to justice for women experiencing violence, aligning with the goal of promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

The article discusses the implementation of harm reduction strategies in addressing substance abuse among women in shelters.

Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

The article highlights the challenges faced by women in shelters during the pandemic, including the straying from feminist principles and the reduction in support services, indicating the need to address discrimination against women.

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

The article discusses the impact of pandemic protocols on access to shelter services for women at risk of violence, highlighting the need to promote social inclusion and reduce inequalities.

Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

The article addresses the challenges faced by women in accessing shelter services during the pandemic, indicating the need to reduce discrimination and promote equal opportunity.

Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

The article discusses the provision of quality care for survivors of gender-based violence in women’s shelters, aligning with the target of reducing violence and related death rates.

Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

The article highlights the importance of access to justice for women experiencing gender-based violence, addressing the target of promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Use of harm reduction strategies in addressing substance abuse
• Adherence to feminist and anti-oppressive principles in service provision
• Access to shelter services for women at risk of violence
• Reduction in discrimination against women accessing shelter services
• Availability of quality care for survivors of gender-based violence
• Access to justice for women experiencing gender-based violence

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators